This has not gone down well with the perio people, one distinguished English periodontist blogged saying that there is little evidence that jumping out of an aeroplane is dangerous, but its not something that is recommended.

The president of the American Academy of Periodontology, said: ‘It’s like building a house and not painting two sides of it.

‘Ultimately, those two sides are going to rot away quicker.’

The British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy is advising its members and patients that regular interdental cleaning remains a valuable part of their oral health routine.

But Professor Damien Walmsley, the BDA’s scientific adviser, said: ‘Floss is of little value unless the spaces between your teeth are too tight for the inter-dental brushes to fit without hurting or causing harm.

‘It’s important to tell people to do the basics.

‘Flossing is not part of the basics.’

More harm than good

It has been estimated that fewer than one quarter of Brits manage to sustain flossing for any length of time.

I suspect that in the USA, where flossing is akin to a religion, the proportion could be higher.

But even the most enthusiastic flosser must admit it is a chore, with very view visible effects and requiring some manual dexterity.

If the advice crosses the Atlantic, it will not deter those who have this as part of their routine.

It will give the non-flosser relief from any felling of guilt about their non-performance.

It’s a bit like telling people that they don’t need their ‘five-a-day’ or that vaping doesn’t lead to disease or that you can eat dairy fat.

So if telling people they needn’t floss leads to neglecting other oral hygiene routines, it could do a lot more harm than good.

Michael Watson

Author at Dentistry.co.uk

Michael Watson qualified 50 years ago and started his career in the Royal Army Dental Corps. Retiring in 1979 he set up a general dental practice in Manningtree. In the 80s he became secretary of the GDPA and was the first editor of its journal the General Dental Practitioner. Moving to the BDA in 1991 he spent the rest if his career as a political adviser and editing BDA news. Since retiring he has continued writing and is a regular contributor to dentistry.co.uk and Dentistry magazine along with being the news correspondent for both. Michael now spends more time at a time-share on Gran Canaria and reducing the kid’s inheritance on cruise ships.

Why is this described as a “silly season” story ?
I’m someone with tight teeth and a mouthful of fillings, , , as a result flossing has on occasion lifted out bits of tooth and filling… yes I know the pro-floss brigade will probably tell me that I’m “doing g it wrong” …
But in a time when journal articles are shared with the public via Facebook and Twitter I am niggled that there is no mention of the alternative of home air and water flossers, there are well priced portable hand pumped water flossers available, … I’ve recently started using one, it’s easier to use and a LOT less potential for damage than shoving course thread between almost non existent spaces.

Yes I know it’s a bit of a rant, but when your articles are going to be seen by the general public, it does help to have a balanced approach, and not to push just one option..That simply leads to an “all or nothing” approach..